This episode focuses on Randolph Sheppard related news from across the country. You will hear all the latest happenings.
Music (00:00):
Intro Music words (00:16):
This is the We are Randolph Shepherd podcast, promoting blind entrepreneurship and Independence. And now here's the dynamic duo, Nikki Gecos and Terry Smith.
Nicky Gacos (00:27):
Welcome to r Randall Shepherd, episode 23. Unbelievable. As we get near the end of 2023, of course, we wanna thank our sponsors, the National Association of Blind Merchants, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo Sodexo. You selected Southern Food Service, Tyler Technologies, Anderson Food Service, RSA, management Group, site Line Wealth Management, and cantaloupe. Terry, how are you?
Terry Smith (00:58):
I'm doing good, Nikki. Um, made it through the Christmas holidays. Actually, I'm still sort of, uh, in the middle of the holidays. I'm still with grandkids. Took a little break here and, uh, to record this podcast. But, uh, we've had a great week, uh, bringing 23 to a close and getting ready for the new year. What are you doing for the new year? You, are you one of these, you gonna be down on Thomas Square?
Nicky Gacos (01:21):
Oh, no, no, no, no. You know, I've never done that. I live so close, you know, and I've never done that. Um, I'm going down the shore and I'm gonna wake up on New Year's Day and do my walk on the boardwalk, um, and get some fresh air. And it's a great way to start a New Year's to walk on through the ocean and, and get a nice walk on the boardwalk. And, um, I laugh every year because, uh, it's, they do the, uh, plunge, the ocean plunge, you know, with Yeah, to start off the new year. And I, I haven't done that yet either, but, um, I'm, I'm not a big New Year's Eve guy because over the years I was in there from a kid growing up in the restaurant business busting tables and working, and, you know, being in Colorado for years was always a busy, busy time. So it's a time to relax. And, um, so we'll go down the shore and just relax a little bit and spend New Year's down the shore and get ready to watch some football game, because, uh, I still got a team that's alive in the Final Four. So, we're, what about you, Gary? What are your
Terry Smith (02:19):
You've gotta be quiet. You know, I have not, I have not gone out and celebrated New Year's. I think maybe one time in the last 15 years that I've been out on, on New Year's Eve, our New Year's Eves are, are usually quiet with a, maybe a glass of champagne, watch the ball drop and go to bed and get a good night's sleep and get ready for the football games as, um, a a as you say. So, uh, are, are you big on resolutions? You, you gonna, you going to do any New Year's resolutions? You
Nicky Gacos (02:47):
Know, I, I, as a kid, I, when, when I thought about this, I said, you know, as a kid, I used to write down every year, uh, I, I'll lose weight, I will be better, I'll be nicer, you know, I'll, I'll, I'll eat more vegetables and stuff. And of course, that'll end at about two weeks. Um, stuff. So I'm, I'm not big on, uh, on resolutions. Um, I'm not big on New Year's York 'cause every day is like a new year type of thing. I know it's a new calendar year. It's amazing that you look at 2024 and you think about years ago when we said, wow, 2000, you know, and, and, and all that. Now we're 20, 24. Um, but, you know, I, I, I know I have to, I, I, I'm, it's a year of ca uh, transformation and innovation, as you know. And, um, so that's gonna be my goal, that's my resolution to get in the best shape of, of my life so I could continue to do this work that we do because, um, I I kind of love it, you know, I kind of like it a lot. And, um, so that's my resolution is to, to be transformative, be innovative, and, um, have a good year and healthwise and, uh, be, I want to be happy. I want to be healthy, and I want to be holy. And I wish that for everybody.
Terry Smith (03:55):
Well, you know, I'm not, um, I'm not a big resolution person. Uh, I'm sort of like you, you know, you, you, you go through the exercise and, um, you know, I, I was look reading an article online, and it said 64% of people, uh, you know, do New Year's resolutions and only 20%, you know, hold themselves accountable. And I actually looked, and, and it's just sort of funny, you're going down the list of things. Uh, the top eight resolutions for 2024, number one surprised me a little bit. It's to save more money, 59%, almost six outta 10 people say that that's our number resolution to save more money. And then you get into the same stuff you were talking about. Uh, number two was exercise more. Number three was eat healthy. Uh, which that impacts our blind vendors. Um, uh, number four is to spend more time with family. That's a good one. Number five is to lose weight. You mentioned that one. Number six is to reduce spending on living expenses such as food and energy that could affect our blind vendors. Number seven is less time on social media. Boy, I wish that there's a lot of people who need to spend less time on social media,
Nicky Gacos (05:03):
Terry Smith (05:06):
And number eight, or actually tied for number seven was, uh, uh, reduced stress on the job. And, uh, so that's something that we can always do. And, you know, the, what used to always be number one on, on, on, on these lists every year, uh, is, you know, not even on top eight anymore. You know what that is? Quit smoking. No. You know, quit smoking. Wow. Yeah. That used to be what every everybody was. It was number one on the, on, on the list every year was to quit smoking. And, you know, it, it show shows you how things have changed and, um, you know, what's, uh, how, how, how things have, uh, uh, evolved from the, from, from what, what, what smoking used to be to what it is now. So, Nikki, let's just jump. It's so
Nicky Gacos (05:51):
Expensive.
Terry Smith (05:52):
What's that?
Nicky Gacos (05:54):
It's so expensive now. Geez. I was in studio, buy like a, a Powerball ticket. And, uh, well, I guess that's my number one resolution, win a power ball. But anyway, um,
Terry Smith (06:10):
Yeah, they keep 'em back there locked up, man. It's like gold if you
Nicky Gacos (06:13):
Terry Smith (06:15):
So, Nikki, every month we do a, a session, we call What's up? And you just get, uh, 20 seconds to tell what's up. And so, uh, what's up with you?
Nicky Gacos (06:25):
So what's up with me is, as I said, we look forward to this new year and we're very excited about, um, about what's coming up this new year. Um, hopefully, um, one of the New Year's, uh, big things will be our, uh, suit against the Athe, uh, which should be coming out very, very soon. It'll be a nice Christmas present to Athe and to us. I hope that that will be good. And, um, then we have a blast innovation 24 coming up, um, in February 26th, 27th and 28th, getting a lot of new and innovative companies coming to talk about that and talk about how we need to change the Randolph Shepherd Act. And, um, we're getting a lot of play on that. Um, and then, uh, you know, we're gonna come up with a paper that we're gonna go to Congress with if things don't go well with RSA, um, you know, for our fly in that we're talking about sometime in May. Um, and then, um, you know, we do have a meeting with, um, RSA on February 6th, which we're looking forward to. Hopefully we can move that forward. And of course, the big thing is, is Blast, uh, 24, um, our first one in a number of years in Nashville, Tennessee, November 19th to the 22nd. So it's a big year. Um, and that's what's up. Um, and so what's up with you, tere?
Terry Smith (07:41):
Well, I'm, I have been in down mode for a week. For those of you who don't know, we're recording this on Saturday, January the 30th. So, um, my Christmas started the week after Christmas, uh, and so I am in South Carolina. I've got all four grandkids and pops. They've been wearing pops out, and he's been going to sleep very well every single night. Uh, I've got four grandkids, you've heard me talk about them before, ages four to eight. And, you know, Christmas with, with, with kids is just magical. And we've had a magical week. Um, so we're gonna wrap it up today with, I think they're gonna go ride some Go-karts and gonna go see a movie, and then everybody heads back to their plate homes, uh, tomorrow. Um, so, uh, it's really, it's really been good. And, uh, I'm really happy with, uh, with, with the way things turned out. It's been love to see it when the cousins can get together.
Nicky Gacos (08:38):
Yeah, you're right, Terry. And one thing is about, we always talk about how important family is, and, um, we got, um, um, I, it, it's funny, post office, as many people know, have been basically closed. Half of it has been closed since May. Um, and of course we were pretty busy during the holidays, even working yesterday and, uh, this whole week too, which was a
Terry Smith (09:47):
Uh, 23, 23
Nicky Gacos (09:48):
Training that 23, I'm sorry, 23
(10:40):
And I, I read an article this week, Terry, that, um, five star, which is down in Chattanooga, you know, is, is opening their 4000th micro market. And we got states that still aren't doing them. So that's one of my disappointments. My disappointment still is still with SLAs and, and, and, and some of RSA that we're not moving forward or fast enough, and that we turned down, uh, for McCoy in Wisconsin, which is very upsetting to me. And the, the whole South Carolina debacle that we still don't have. You know, we, I think we just completed the interviews, but that whole thing has been going on for a year, um, and stuff, and just still waiting for some answers from David Steele too. But otherwise, um, those are my disappointments. But the fact that we are very appreciative of the work that you do and our board does, and that blind vendors do, going to work and keeping this alive, uh, has been very exciting. So, um, what, what do you have for, uh, your appreciations and your disappointments for 23?
Terry Smith (11:37):
Well, I think the disappointments have to do with, um, uh, and I, and I've said, I've said this before, I don't know if I've said on this podcast, but I know I've said it many times. I think the conflict between agencies and blind vendors is at an all time high. And, um, you know, it's sort of like take one step forward and two steps back. And when we should be addressing important things like we're doing with the A fees and like we're doing with the RSA, we end up spending so much time involved in conflicts between agencies and blind vendors, and that's not what we want to do. And, you know, that's not what we're all about. Uh, but, but at the same time, we have to, we have to protect the rights of blind vendors, and I think we need to do a better job on both sides and, and trying to work together and, and, and building a better program.
(12:23):
And, you know, we can talk about the reasons and know COVID has changed the world and, you know, attitudes have changed, and, but we gotta figure out how to, how to fix that. And, uh, you know, that's my, um, you know, one of my biggest disappointments. I think, uh, you know, we've had some, uh, success with RSA, uh, you know, I've always been one of their biggest critics, and I also have been one of their biggest cheerleaders when, when, when they, when they do things good. And I think we've seen some them do some positive things this year, um, in terms of supporting agencies and in terms of enforcing the priority. Of course, we spent so much time, um, working on the, the exchange issue. Um, and so we're disappointed that we weren't able to resolve those issues. But we are excited and looking forward to what's in store in 24. So, uh, Nikki, you have tab this as 2024, the year of Innovation. You mentioned the innovation conference. We're gonna have, and, uh, hope to see some folks turn up for that. And, uh, we'll get on with, uh, 24 and moving this program forward.
Nicky Gacos (13:29):
And Terry, I know that, um, you know, you're gonna do the blitz, um, uh, for what the work that we all do, uh, throughout the year of 23 in this fourth quarter. And, and it's so informative and, and so many things. And I wish people, you know, a number of things, and again, I hate the word change, but, you know, we look for positive change. We look for, uh, more involvement too. You know, we, apathy has been a big thing still, uh, that we try to do. And, and, you know, it's, it's been baby steps. But, um, and you're right, uh, you know, I, we criticize RSAA lot or, or agencies, but, um, this, this has to be a year that we work together. Otherwise, it's just gonna grow. If it grows further apart now, it's, it, it's gonna be hard to bring back. So, um, I really hope that we could do this.
(14:11):
I mean, the world is in a terrible place right now with things that are going on in the Middle East and Ukraine and Russia, and in our Congress and everything. Let's not follow those leads. Let's, let's work together to make sure that, um, 24 became, becomes that year of innovation and transformation. So, um, Terry and I wanna leave you with this for everybody. May, 2024 be a year of meaningful growth, transformation, transformative impact, and personal and professional breakthroughs. As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it's only fitting to reflect upon past and set our sights on the possibilities lie ahead. As leaders, we are confronted with many challenges and opportunities through our daily habits, authenticity, grace, and self-awareness. Were granted the unique opportunity to lead a mark on those we lead. And that's my 24 message. Um, happy new year to everybody. Happy new to you.
(15:32):
And Terry, one last thing. We're still alive in the pros, baby. We're still alive. We've still got, our team's gonna make the playoffs, and we're still alive, so, uh, everybody that kids us can maybe we'll be able to shove it back to them in February. Terry, I thank you for everything that you have done for blind vendors, for agencies, for the help with RSA, for the help with aphis, for everything you've done. Thank you so much. I look forward to working with you and becoming this year of innovation in 24. So thank you very much. And you know what? Thank the blind vendors that go to work. Thank the blind vendors that listen to our podcast, thank those that come to bless, thank them for everything. God bless their families and everybody, and Terry, happy new year to everyone.
Terry Smith (16:14):
Thank you, Nikki, and thank you and the board. And, uh, you have a, you have a good happy New Year, and we will jump into the Blitz now and, uh, get you updated on all the news. That is the news as it relates to Randolph Shepherd. Uh, it was a busy fall as we got out to several state meetings. Um, and I'm probably gonna leave one out, but we had Mississippi, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, California, Oregon, Kansas, and Iowa. Um, couple of those were virtual. Um, but, uh, you know, it was really good to see folks getting back together. And we were able to get out to those, uh, to those states and, and, and to their annual training conferences. Uh, we contracted with Mississippi to do their training in October, and it was a really good conference and really enjoyed working with them on that.
(17:03):
Another thing that we did, we were in Florida, uh, ed Birmingham, Nikki Koss and I were in Florida. We did some training down there for the, uh, Florida Committee of Blind Vendors doing some training on Randolph Shepherd 1 0 1, and also talking about what the act says about the Committee of Blind vendors, what the responsibilities are and how to run effective committee meetings. And that's a training that we did. Um, um, earlier in December, uh, we did the, sort of the same training virtually in MA for the Massachusetts Committee. They have a brand new committee, uh, in, in Massachusetts. And so we started out with the, uh, uh, uh, virtual training, 90 minutes, I think it was, uh, on active participation and what it is and, and, and how to be an effective committee and, and, and to be the committee that Congress intended. We're gonna come back after the first of the year and do another session on Randolph Shepherd 1 0 1.
(17:59):
So that's something that is available. If you guys wanna do something virtually, um, then, uh, you know, we can, we can put together something like that for your, um, your committee. Uh, Kansas has already reached out. Mike Malloy, the committee chair there is, is wanting us to do, uh, something very similar for the, uh, that the Kansas, uh, committee, I mentioned that we were in Florida. And, uh, while we were there, we presented Bill Finley, Nikki Gecos presented, or Ed Birmingham. And Nikki presented Bill Finley, the BEP director there. The President's Award was actually given to him and presented first at the Atlantic City Blast. Um, but we had some technical difficulties getting the actual award. So we, while we were in Florida, we actually gave him the, um, the award. Um, Nikki mentioned our meeting with RSA. We did meet with RSA in October, met with the assistant secretary, uh, Glenn Gallo.
(18:58):
It was a very, and as well as the top folks with RSA. It was a very productive meeting, I think. Uh, we got to share some information with them and, uh, um, you know, share some frustrations and some ideas. And as a result, we are planning a full day listening session with RSA in, um, um, Octo, I mean, February, February the sixth. That'll be in Washington dc. We're putting together a full day agenda, uh, to, to discuss a whole myriad of Randolph Shepherd issues to help educate RSA on some of the issues and help them hear what the concerns of the consumers are out there. So, um, we will involve the state agencies in that meeting. So we're looking forward to that. Uh, that meeting in February, uh, in addition to meeting with RSA, we also met with the Senate Small Business Committee, and they actually reached out to us.
(19:54):
They wanted to meet, to talk about ideas on how they can increase opportunities for disabled owned businesses. There is some interest in, uh, adding disability to one of the criteria for qualifying for eight A. Now you have to be, um, a minority or a female, or socially disadvantaged. They want to add disability to that as a, that's one of the things they're looking at, which is ironic because the NFB tried this about 10 years ago, and it went nowhere. So now that they are initiating it, uh, it's gonna, I'm, I'm really anxious to see, uh, where, where that goes. So we're, we're looking forward to, to continuing to have dialogue, uh, with them. They are, there is a bill this year, which is going to establish a, uh, if passed, it will establish a disability coordinator in the small business administration. They will start collecting statistics on the number of companies that are owned by people with disabilities.
(20:53):
And that's sort of the forerunner to hopefully having a full fledged, um, bill. Um, in, in our conversations with them, we talked about the, the idea of having a tax credit for, uh, the, um, for line vendors who operated, uh, vending food services in the private sector. And, uh, they referred us to Senator Casey's office and, uh, uh, NFB, uh, Jeff Klock has had a conversation with them, uh, about that idea. That's something that's just being floated out there, but with something that we think would do wonders in terms of creating opportunities for Randolph Shepherd vendors around the country. Um, getting DOD obviously takes up a lot of our bandwidth. Um, and, uh, you know, I was doing some research, and you may be surprised at how many mills that Randolph Shepherd vendors serve our, our military troops. We serve 60 million mills a year, uh, which is really quite impressive when you, when, when you think about it, this little Randolph Shepherd program that not many people know about, we're serving 60 million males to our men and women in uniform.
(22:10):
And that, that's pretty impressive. And way to go, guys that are out there on the front lines doing that. Had some good news in the, um, um, on the, on the, uh, contract side, we got Fort Knox back Kentucky. Uh, it was a long road. Um, you know, they, they actually had the contract, their teamy partner basically defaulted. Uh, they lost that contract. And, um, they, they, they partnered with Southern Food Services and, uh, they, they, they were just recently awarded that contract. So Fort Knox, uh, which had been in the Randolph Shepherd family for many years, uh, we lost it. And it is back. Nikki mentioned Fort McCoy. Fort McCoy is in Wisconsin, Fort, uh, Wisconsin. SLA was not going to bid on it, so Minnesota was gonna step in and, and bid instead with, uh, Wisconsin's blessing. Um, and they got down to really the 11th hour, and there was a bureaucratic technicality that, uh, prevented them from doing that.
(23:15):
We were really proud of Minnesota for, for really going the extra mile to try to make that happen. It was nobody's fault. Uh, the agency did everything they possibly could. And so we, a shout out to John Hewlett and the, and the Minnesota program, and to Mike Coburn, the committee chair there, that worked very hard to, to make that happen. We just couldn't quite pull it off. Uh, really disappointed that the Wisconsin Agency chose not to pursue that location. Um, and, um, you know, there are some, some concerns there. There is a history there, but, um, uh, we were, it would've been a whole lot easier if, um, they had, uh, they had pursued that location. Nikki mentioned the, um, the lawsuit against Athe, which is the Army Air Force Exchange Service. We thought that suit would be filed before Christmas, but we had to retire, retain counsel, uh, in the state where the, where the case is being filed.
(24:12):
So we had to go through the process of GE doing the engagement letters and getting all that done. Uh, and then the holidays hit. So I don't think that's actually been filed, but it should be filed within few days from the day you hear this podcast. So we're gonna see where, where that goes. Um, it's a, it is a long shot, but hopefully we're gonna get their attention. We've mentioned before the, um, the Army Food Innovation Transformation Initiative. That was, um, uh, uh, an effort to modernize the way the Army does its food service, and, um, you know, to move from the traditional mess hall serving model to a, uh, a system, more of a college dining approach. And so we're, uh, the Army had issued a couple of solicitations and pulled them back, and then it sort of hit a brick wall, and now there it is back.
(25:08):
And we were being told that it was gonna be one state, they were gonna try one state, and, and that was gonna be Fort Liberty in North Carolina. And, and North Carolina was re was ready to go and if an RFP came out. But, uh, now we're hearing that it may end up being multiple states. So we're sort of, you know, the Intel is all over the place, and we are trying to figure out what's going on with that. Uh, but we have been in communication with all the state agencies that could potentially be involved in that. And, uh, so we're, we are, um, uh, hopeful that, uh, when a solicitation is issued that we will be in position to pursue that. Along those same lines, the Army has, um, um, started what they're calling a kiosk service. It's a grab and go at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.
(25:57):
This is part of the Army contract, and they're just gearing that up. And so we're, uh, uh, our, our blind vendors and Blackstone there at, at, at, uh, Fort Jackson are, are already starting to do this, but at other bases, it's not being done by Randolph Shepherd. It's being do done by what they call Army Food Services and, um, the commissaries. And what this is, is where, uh, military folks, uh, who miss the or don't want to eat at the mess hall, whatever, uh, can just run by the grab and go. They can grab a fresh sandwich, they can grab a salad, they can grab sushi, whatever they want. And, uh, and, and that is their, uh, you know, their, their meal for, for, for that period. And, uh, so, and Randolph Shepherd is, you know, these other bases is not being considered for, for that service.
(26:47):
So we are trying to gather information. We know they're doing it at, uh, Fort, uh, Carson in Colorado. It's gonna start big time there in March, and they're actually closing down the, uh, the mess halls. There'll be only one mess hall open for three meals a day. Um, all the others will be closed for dinner and on weekends and holidays. So the only evening meal that they'll have a choice except for one mess hall, will be this kiosk service. So a kiosk service clearly falls under the Randolph Shepherd priority. The problem is that currently the Army is doing it themselves. They're not outsourcing it. So we're just now gathering information about it. This is still, um, sort, sort of, sort of new to us. Um, you know, we have been working with, um, with RSA on the issue of multi-state contracts. Um, RSA has issued an opinion that, uh, is somewhat problematic, um, in that, uh, you know, how states have to operate if they're gonna operate across state lines and, and, and, and operate a multi-state contract.
(27:57):
Uh, this will be part of our conversation with, uh, RSA on February the sixth, but, uh, we, um, we look forward to that discussion. Some changes took place in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood, where they changed the teaming partner there. Um, and, uh, things are going very well from what we understand. And congratulations to David Pinkley, the vendor there. And to, uh, Blackstone Consulting, who is the teaming par new teaming partner there. We're still waiting on contracts at Fort Moore, which, uh, used to be bending. I think that's correct. Uh, I'm, I'm getting all these names all, all mixed up and all confused. Um, but, um, we, you know, the solicitation has been, uh, the bids are in, and they're going through the evaluation process, and we're optimistic that the state of Georgia and Wayne Dye and Bob Andt and Blackstone will be able to, to keep that one.
(28:52):
Also, we're optimistic that Fort Sill in Oklahoma, that's another one, uh, that, uh, we had, we lost. And now, um, Oklahoma is rebidding that one, uh, with Southern Food Services. And, uh, we are optimistic that that will be back in the Randolph Shepherd Arena, and that the next time we report the blitz, that will, uh, be part of our report that that is now a Randolph Shepherd facility. Uh, in other news, non DODU News, Mississippi is on the verge of getting their first commissary. I may have mentioned this in the last update, uh, but now they actually have the agreement. Um, I don't think the contract is actually signed, but they will be going in and operating a commissary, uh, complete with the, um, all the, all the bells and whistles, eventually, including the phone service. And really excited and really proud of Mississippi and, and, and, and what they've done and their due diligence and their perseverance in getting their first, uh, inmate commissary, uh, Tennessee, as you know, has operated these for years.
(30:01):
I think they have 49 now. Uh, that, you know, they do well over $20 million a year just in commissary sales. So they are very lucrative operations. The one in Mississippi is very small. Uh, but it is a start, and I know the folks down there are committed to, to moving this thing forward and actually getting more and more commissary operations. Speaking of Tennessee, Tennessee had an opportunity to get the state prisons in, uh, the commissaries in Tennessee. They decided finally, after all these years, they were going to outsource it. Uh, Tennessee did exercise their priority, and, um, they, they, they, they pushed and I'd say mildly pushed, uh, to exercise that priority. And, um, they actually ended up, um, agreeing that a third party could operate it, uh, that the, that the Department of Corrections could have a third party operate that commissary and pay a fee to TBE.
(31:02):
So, um, it will not be a blind vendor there, uh, which is disappointing from my standpoint. But, uh, I think it, uh, you know, the, the fee is quite substantial. It's gonna be, you know, somewhere in the neighborhood, half a million dollars a year. So, um, you know, Tennessee, the, the Committee of Blind Vendors has made, made the statement that, you know, they, they've lost a couple of jobs that they could have had blind vendors running these, uh, prisons. Uh, but they can use this money and match it with federal dollars, hopefully, and, uh, create a whole lot of new opportunities for blind vendors, um, you know, in, in, in other areas. So, um, you know, I guess some ways disappointing. In some ways, congratulations are in order, and, you know, if somebody would put a half a million dollars in front of me, I don't know that I wouldn't take it to, um, especially if you can use it to the benefit of the, of, of, of the program and to expand opportunities elsewhere.
(31:57):
Uh, I will note that this is the, um, I, I, I do know the date. I, I know I said January, it is December the 30th. Um, and the RSA fifteens were due on, you know, yesterday, which would've been December the 29th. Many, many states missed that deadline. And, and I don't know that RSA has extended it this year. They may have, uh, I encourage everybody out there, I encourage the SLAs that are listening to this, just automatically send that to your Committee of Blind vendors. If your state does not, and you're on the committee, I would encourage you to ask for a copy of the RSA 15. It is very valuable information, tells you a lot about your program, and, um, I think you should be aware of the, the data that is being reported. Anyone who has trouble, I mean, it can be complicated.
(32:52):
Anybody who has trouble, um, interpreting those, you know, I'm happy to go over your RSA 15 with you and explain what those numbers mean. Hopefully the SLA will do that, but I'm ha happy to do it as, as well. So, um, let's look at, those are posted online. Several have already been approved and posted, uh, on the RSA website. So if you wanna go out there and look at those and see what other states are doing, they're easily available for you to do that. And that is one of the positive things that, that, that RSA has done, is that they're posting those and they're doing it in a much more timely manner. So go out there and check those out. But most importantly, make sure that you know what your, what your state's report says. Uh, the, uh, we had reported earlier that the, uh, business enterprise entry level training had been moved over to the Chicago Lighthouse.
(33:45):
It was at Hadley. We still sometimes get tongue twisted and call it Hadley, uh, but is now the Chicago Lighthouse. Uh, go, went through a transition period. We had 39 people, uh, complete that training in 23. And, um, which is down a little bit, uh, but it was because of the transition. And we will, and, and, and our numbers are, are looking very, very good. As far as new enrollees coming into, in, into that program, uh, I think we've got 36, 37 states that are using that as their entry-level training program. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it is basically a national curriculum that allows, uh, vendors to take the, the coursework part of entry-level training, uh, online at their own pace. And, uh, the VR counselors pay the, uh, pay, pay for that training and, uh, as a VR service. So, uh, if you're not, if your state's not one of the states using it, check it out.
(34:45):
Uh, we do have a few new, um, directors across the country. I'll just mention, um, we have, uh, Ron Stewart in Oregon, who I've not had the pleasure of meeting, but I'm trying to set up a time when I can talk with him. And, uh, congratulations to, to Ron Eric Morris, who had been the longtime vin uh, com, uh, director in Oregon has moved on. And, uh, we wish him well, and we wish Ron well in his new position. Neil Ellington is new in, um, in, in, in Louisiana, uh, Tennessee is looking for a BEP director. Raven Pullum has left the Tennessee program. And so Tennessee is looking for a director. And if, uh, you know of anybody that's interested in that, please let them know. But that's not the only vacancy. And I'm sure I'm, I'll leave some out here, but I know for a fact that Illinois is still open, uh, Mississippi is open Hawaii and North Carolina, and I'm sure I'm missing some.
(35:42):
So, you know, uh, that's still, what is that? Five, five states that, uh, have vacant BEP directors. And, uh, you know, there may be more than that. Looking ahead to 24, a lot of things coming up. And, uh, before we wrap this thing up, um, January 29th, the National Federation of Bond will have their Washington seminar, uh, where they will be talking to Congress about issues that affect people who are blind. And, um, one is the Access Technology Affordability Act, uh, where you can get a tax credit for, uh, if you have to buy accessible equipment or equipment that'll make, uh, things accessible to you. And that's something that could be very important to, to our guys, uh, who sometimes have to buy a lot of their own technology. Um, Nikki mentioned, we've mentioned several times that we have a meeting with RSA on February the sixth, our listening session, February 26th through 28th.
(36:38):
Uh, we are gonna do Blast Innovation 24 in Orlando. Nikki didn't go into a whole lot of detail about that, but we're gonna be doing, um, you know, probably a half a day of training. We're gonna do a half a day of small group activities and, and where we're gonna be looking at what the, the future and what innovations need to take place in Randolph Shepherd. And we're gonna do probably a half a day in looking at new modern equipment and some innovative stuff in the, in, in the, uh, technology and equipment arena. So that's gonna be in Orlando, Florida. An announcement went out, uh, just before the holidays, and we'll be sending out the link with the hotel. And, uh, the registration page will be going out, uh, the first week of January. So, uh, be on the lookout for that. You won't have much time to make your reservation, so, uh, you know, you're gonna have to be on Johnny on the spot to get, get those things done.
(37:34):
Um, April 10th through the 12th, the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind be having a spring conference, uh, in Bethesda, Maryland. We are having, uh, there, there may be some a, a day of Randolph Shepherd training they'll be doing for their BEP directors. Uh, at least that was being discussed. So, uh, we're not exactly sure what the final verdict on that was. July 7th through the ninth is the, uh, national, um, I mean, May 7th through the ninth is the National Automatic Merchandising Association Show, NAMA Show in Dallas, Texas. We usually do a couple hours before that gets started. Um, and, uh, but, um, I don't know that a final decision has been made on that yet. Jump forward to July, July three through eighth, the National Federation of the Blind National Convention. It'll be back in Orlando, Florida. So, uh, keep that on your calendar.
(38:30):
July 23 through 24 nama, the National Automatic Merchandising Association, is having their fly in, in Washington dc. Many of our guys participate in that. October seven through 10, uh, is the National Association of Convenience Stores, max Show in Las Vegas. And that's always a tremendous show, uh, in November. And I don't have the dates to to be announced. Uh, this is the Na NAMA Coffee, tea and Water Show. And then the big one is, uh, November 19th through the 22nd. We're having Blast in Nashville, Tennessee. Uh, and that's the big one. And we wanna make sure that everybody is in Music City for our first blast in six years. Another thing that's gonna be happening in 24 is that we are going to be start having, uh, monthly calls with N-C-S-A-B to talk about, uh, you know, collaboration and issues that we can be working together on.
(39:35):
And we're looking forward to that. I mentioned Blast and you know, we always do a one day of staff training on July, the, on November the 19th, that would be. And N-C-S-A-B is always partnered with us in putting together that training. And so we look forward to hopefully partnering with them again for a blast 24 in Nashville for a full day of, of, of, of training. So that sort of wraps up the, the news. I went through it pretty quickly, I know, but, uh, really appreciate everybody listening and, uh, we will see you next month, um, when Nikki and I will be back for our podcast number 24, which we'll drop on or about February the first. Uh, and in the meantime, I will just say Happy New Year to everybody out there and want to thank, uh, Nikki and the board of directors for of NABM, for, for all they do. Nikki provides great leadership to this organization and is always thinking forward and, and is a visionary. And we appreciate, uh, what, what, what he has done. And, uh, also want to thank Josh, our producer, uh, who does such a great job in making us sound good and fixing up all of our mistakes. So with that, guys, we are outta here. You guys have a happy New Year and we will talk soon.
Sponsor informashion (41:02):
The we are Randolph Shepherd Podcast would like to thank our sponsors, the National Association of Blind Merchants, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sodexo, you selected Southern Food Service, Tyler Technologies, Anderson Food Service, RSA Management Group, Siteline Wealth Management, and Cantaloupe.
Terry Smith (41:27):
If you would like to support the We Are Randolph Shepherd Podcast, we would love to have you on board. Corporate sponsors may contact Nikki kins@nikkicolorado.netscape.net. Individuals who would like to support the podcast may do so by donating to the National Association of Blind merchants@www.blindmerchants.org. We would love to have your support.